2023 Highlights and Impact Report: SC4K’s Impact by the Numbers

2023 was a milestone year for Shoes and Clothes for Kids, and the proof is in the numbers. In March, we published our 2023 Highlights and Impact Report. This year’s report was expanded to four pages to account for all of the year’s activities and outcomes. Read on for a summary of our most important impacts and key insights:

• In 2023, SC4K served 28,019 students through our Legacy Program, Classroom Guarantee Expansion Program, and Teacher Shops. This number represents a 7.75% increase over 2022!
• 58 partner organizations (which include Distribution Partners and community organizations) provided services to 48 unique communities in greater Cleveland, 85.7% of which are located in the City of Cleveland.
• Our Teacher Resource Center has continued to expand its footprint, serving teachers representing over 40 districts and school networks. The result? 1,812 unique shopping visits between February and October.
• The average value of items received each time a teacher shopped last year was higher than previous years, at $2,089.00. Throughout this special year, items that were normally limited in quantity during shops were distributed in bulk in order to decrease inventory prior to our move.
• We paid special attention to the types of schools we served this year and are proud to report that 39% of the schools we serve are parochial or charter schools, where teacher salaries and budgets are more limited.
• Our Classroom Guarantee Expansion Program distributed 162 ABC Packs valued at $57,691. Each Academic Boost Class Pack contained a set of core supplies for 30 students, designed to boost student preparedness, and therefore, positively impact school attendance.
• The total value of items we distributed through all of our programs last year was $3,556,906.
• The largest quantity of items we distribute remains our school and classroom supplies, with 1,010,732 individual supply items getting into the hands of the students and teachers who need them the most. This number is three times as high as last year, in part due to the great success of our community collection drives, such as Fox 8 Stuff the Bus and MGK Day.
• Clothing items were our second-most distributed item with a total of 145,902 pieces of school-appropriate clothing and school uniform items distributed (not including socks and underwear!). This number is almost double last year’s number!
• Our volunteers make it happen! Last year, 2,778 individual volunteers representing 118 companies and organizations provided a total of 12,128 hours of services counting and packing items, stocking shelves, and volunteering at teacher shops and events. We expect this number to grow in 2023 due to our new, more accessible location, new partnerships, and our enhanced experience for volunteers.
• We welcomed 219 first-time donors in 2023 and the average individual financial contribution is $215! We couldn’t do what we do without the support of all of our donors.
• So much of what we do can’t be measured in traditional ways. The back page of our report covers some of the statistics that mean the most to our supporters and reminds us of all that what we do is about so much more than new items, it’s about new outlooks, improved attendance, and increased engagement at school.

Download a printable copy of the 2023 Impacts and Highlights Report to read more about our impact and learn how you can be a part of our 2024 impact by volunteering, hosting a drive, sponsoring a program, or making a financial contribution today.